Free Will

A common misconception people have of the Augustinian view of grace is that people come to faith against their wills, when the very opposite is actually the case. In fact, without grace there can be no free will. So, what …

The Westminster Confession of Faith has, for hundreds of years, served as the doctrinal foundation of the Reformed churches. In this message, Dr. John Gerstner concludes his study of the mediatorial work of Christ, followed by a look at whether …

Reformed theology teaches that God has ordained whatsoever comes to pass. Critics of Reformed theology argue that this entails a fatalistic worldview in which only God’s will truly exists. They claim that if God decreed or willed the acts …

Scripture very plainly uses the word “predestined” in reference to the salvation of God’s people. Most denominations and some of the greatest theologians have wrestled with this issue through the centuries and have carefully formulated statements regarding this controversial …

Some well-meaning pastors have tried to explain that within God’s sovereignty, there is a place where He chooses not to exercise His power. That place, according to some, is man’s free will. That explanation simply won’t do …

As King of all creation, God exercises His sovereignty throughout the world. But how sovereign is sovereign? Are there realms in the created universe where God does not govern? Does God have the ability to save everyone? If He does …

The ancient Pelagian heresy taught that the fall of Adam had no effect on mankind, and therefore, we do not need grace to please God. Saint Augustine responded by teaching that not only did sin affect us, but that our …

Whenever we make a decision, we want that decision to be ours. Is it possible to choose something against our will? What function does our free will have in receiving the gospel? Continuing this study on the doctrine of free …

If God has already predestined all those who will be saved, what is the purpose of evangelism? Dr. Sproul answers this common question as he teaches us the proper response the church ought to have to “The Divine Initiative.”

A common criticism leveled against Reformed theology is that it does not teach that man has a free will. But is that really an accurate criticism? Whose definition of free will are we using? Fortunately, we don’t have to …